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B+
Schools in Marietta-Alderwood · Bellingham School District

Marietta-Alderwood’s public schools outscore 66% of Washington districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Marietta-Alderwood, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#126of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
57%
▲ 4 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
43%
▲ 3 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.1K
▼ 2% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.6
WA 17.7
Schools in town
1
6,265 students on the public path
In brief

Marietta-Alderwood’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 247 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Marietta-Alderwood’s, its schools beat 73%, higher than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 57% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,143 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then four middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Marietta-Alderwood’s grade

A− Test scoresC− Graduation

B+: better than 66% of Washington school districts, #126 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores are above the Washington average; graduation is below it.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 66%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (247)Better than 73%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,486 test results and a graduating class of 1,046 could put Marietta-Alderwood anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 89% of Marietta-Alderwood’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,454 in math, 5,519 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Marietta-Alderwood, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Alderwood Elementary SchoolBellingham School DistrictNo scores
6–84 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Marietta-Alderwood’s public schools are run by Bellingham School District, which also serves Bellingham. Parts of Marietta-Alderwood (7% of its land) are served by Ferndale instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Bellingham School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 25 schools · 11,337 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 17.6 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,143WA $18,444 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading57%
State average 53.4% · 5519 students tested
Math43%
State average 40.1% · 5454 students tested

Marietta-Alderwood vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Marietta-Alderwood’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Marietta-AlderwoodB+Bellingham
BellinghamB+Bellingham
FerndaleC+Ferndale

Every school in Marietta-Alderwood

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Marietta-Alderwoodby address
Alderwood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Bellingham
305 students14:1Rate it →
Also serving Marietta-Alderwoodin other towns
Whatcom Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bellingham
637 students19:1Rate it →
Shuksan Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bellingham
606 students17:1Rate it →
Fairhaven Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bellingham
588 students18:1Rate it →
Kulshan Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bellingham
575 students18:1Rate it →
Squalicum High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Bellingham
1,273 students21:1Rate it →
Bellingham High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Bellingham
1,165 students21:1Rate it →
Sehome High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Bellingham
1,116 students22:1Rate it →

Questions about Marietta-Alderwood’s schools

Are Marietta-Alderwood’s schools good?

By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Marietta-Alderwood children attend outscore 66% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #126 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Marietta-Alderwood in?

Bellingham School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,337 students in 25 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Marietta-Alderwood are served by Ferndale.

Where do Marietta-Alderwood kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Squalicum High School, Bellingham High School and Sehome High School.

What is Marietta-Alderwood’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Bellingham School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Marietta-Alderwood spend per student?

$18,143 in Bellingham School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Marietta-Alderwood families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Marietta-Alderwood → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.